Offshore Kayak Fishing

What do you get when you cross two kayak-crazed anglers and one completely obsessed offshore flyfisherman? Well, besides the outright lies and tall tales about the few that get away, you get one heck of an adventure.

"Dude, you really want to do something cool?" I grinned, feeling like some peer-pressuring high school bully.

Capt. Dean Thomas of Slowride Guide Service and Aaron Reed both sang in unison,"What?"

"Simple, let's catch some shark and kings on fly," I laughed, giving them a suggestive look and setting the bait for the kicker. "From 'yaks," I finished after a pause.

Silently, we all leaned back as the idea settled in and the possibilities and implications of what we could accomplish started building in our minds. "Papa Getaway" silently listened and offered a sage, yet simple, response, "You're all three crazy."

The next few weeks were a blur of trip planning, getting accidental death and dismemberment plans and life insurance in place, and ensuring our loved ones were protected in case any toothy critters decided to pull us into the drink or join us in the cozy confines of our kayaks. As D-Day approached, we came to our senses and realized there is safety in numbers. We included Kendal Larson of Malibu Kayaks and Jim Shulin of Temple Fork Outfitters. However, as the adventure approached, calamity struck in the form of a blown lower unit on my offshore boat. So now, not only were we chasing the toothy ones from kayaks, we were in a small flats boat 20 miles offshore.

As we headed out in 3- to 5-foot seas, we found our first shrimp boat nine miles out and quickly launched the kayaks. Reed looked up and grinned as Thomas grimaced, and in the best cheesy war movie cliché possible said, "Tell my wife and kids I love them." All of us on the 'Mother Ship' laughed and pushed them on their way to destiny.

While the two kayakers bobbed around the Gulf, Shulin quickly caught his first king on fly and Larson his first shark on fly. Suddenly Thomas, not in the water five minutes, filled the air with a loud and infectious Cajun yell. The entire mother ship turned to see him on his first offshore sleigh ride. We all waited expecting to see him throw one hand in the air and ride the kayak like a rodeo cowboy. After a good 30-minute fight, tons of encouragement and instruction from those on the boat, Thomas landed an impressive Jack Crevalle. Almost as quickly as Thomas released his jack, Reed yelled, 'Ling,ling, ling,' as he was tugged quickly from the back of the shrimp boat. Crazy looks were exchanged among the crew of each shrimp boat. Reed was flying across the water when suddenly, as only ling and tarpon can do, his line went inexplicably slack.

Sadly, we thought he was going to cry about the ling that got away. After a few bonito, a couple of kingfish, and a too many annoying remora, the best in show appeared. Reed's lost ling quickly became a memory as he screamed, "Shark on."

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis could not have staged a more comical scene to match what ensued. Reed would spin one way, and Thomas would paddle the next. After what seemed like an impossibly endless kayaking tango, we in the chase boat motored over to offer our support and lend a helpful hand.

"Tip up."

"Don't highstick."

"Stay with him."

"Craaaaack" the rod screamed as it snapped inches from the cork. The disheartened look on Reed's face was heartbreaking until we all screamed in perfect unison, "FISH STILL ON." Reed hand-lined the writhing Atlantic Sharpnose kayak-side like a professional. We took the requisite photos, and he gently released the fish.

The tired return trip home into a beautiful sunset left us all with a sense of wonder and excitement. Bruised and beaten from a day of great fishing, we all talked deliriously as we discussed tomorrow's possibilities - bigger sharks, tarpon, and yes, even tuna on fly from a kayak. In life, as in fishing, the adventure continues.